Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Gahirmatha Odisha Conservation

Gahirmatha beach on the Odisha coast in Kendrapara district is the world largest mass nesting site for Olive Ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), with 500,000-800,000 turtles arriving in February-March for the Arribada (mass nesting) event, one of the most spectacular wildlife phenomena on earth. The Odisha Forest Department works with fishing cooperatives to create turtle-exclusion zones during nesting season, providing alternative livelihood support to fisher families displaced from the exclusion zone. Village conservation cooperatives in Dhamra and Bhitarkanika manage eco-tourism camps for turtle watching, providing income during the January-April turtle season. Cooperative-made Olive Ridley turtle conservation craft items raise awareness and generate income.